Is Royal Caribbeans "The Key" Add-On Worth it? Our Honest Opinion After TWO Cruises

Is Royal Caribbeans "The Key" Add-On Worth it? Our Honest Opinion After TWO Cruises

Kissa Doody

If you’ve cruised Royal Caribbean, you’ve probably seen the option to add “The Key” to your booking and wondered… is it actually worth it?

We’ve now purchased The Key on two back-to-back cruises, including Wonder of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas — and here’s our honest take.

We Used The Key on Two Ships — Here’s What We Noticed

We wanted to truly test whether this add-on made a difference, so we tried it on both a mega ship and a smaller ship.

On Wonder of the Seas, The Key was absolutely worth it for the shows alone. Priority seating made a huge difference. Instead of stressing about reservations or arriving super early, we had reserved seating and better peace of mind. On a ship that big, that convenience matters.

On Jewel of the Seas, it felt even more convenient in a different way. We boarded really quickly and were able to get on the ship earlier than many other guests. Starting vacation faster? Yes please.

The Day 1 Welcome Lunch Is Underrated

One of our favorite perks is the exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room on embarkation day — and it’s included with The Key.

On Jewel, I ordered the filet mignon and it was cooked perfectly. Not “cruise ship good.” Actually good. Sitting down to a calm, served lunch on embarkation day instead of fighting the Windjammer crowd was such a better way to start the trip.

It immediately made the day feel more relaxed and elevated.

Early Boarding = More Vacation Time

Getting on the ship earlier was a big win for us. We were able to:

  • Make reservations

  • Start relaxing immediately

  • Avoid embarkation chaos

  • Explore the ship before everyone else

If you’re someone who likes maximizing every second onboard, this is a huge perk.

What About Spa Discounts?

The Key can include spa discounts, which can help offset the cost. On our Jewel sailing, there were already spa promos running — so we didn’t need it specifically for that — but if discounts stack or you’re already planning treatments, it can absolutely add value. FYI YOU CANNOT COMBINE SPA DISCOUNTS! THEY DO NOT STACK!!!

So… Is The Key Worth It?

Here’s our honest opinion:

If you’re on a larger ship like Wonder of the Seas, and you care about shows and priority experiences, it’s absolutely worth considering.

If you love a smoother embarkation day, exclusive lunch, and less stress overall — it adds real convenience.

Is it necessary? No.

Is it a luxury add-on that makes things easier? Yes.

Overall, if you have the extra cash in your cruise budget, we recommend trying it at least once. We’ve done it twice now — back to back — and we genuinely felt it enhanced our experience both times.

For us? It’s a “treat yourself” cruise upgrade.

P.S. The views of the port were INCREDIBLE!

🔥 SPECIAL BONUS:
Get a cruise shirt FREE when you book a cruise with me!

👉 Book your cruise here:

https://eatcruiseslay.membercruises.com/home-page

Find this style in our Jewel of the Seas YouTube Video @DoodyDestination

DAY 1 "The Key" Lunch & Boarding Youtube:

https://youtu.be/MzNhGCjvBH4?si=8yiVSeWrLC35jXnB

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more clothing + travel adventures!

👗 TRAVEL IN STYLE

Shop my fun, cruise-ready fashion here:

🛍️ https://kissadoody.com

 

Back to blog